Hand And Wrist Pain
The wrist is of great importance in order to perform hand functions smoothly in daily life. Pain in the hand or wrist negatively affects daily life activities. In order to perform the necessary treatment, the source of the pain must first be determined.
What Causes Hand And Wrist Pain?
Wrist pain is one of the most common types of joint pain. It is especially common in people who engage in repetitive activities or sports.
The causes of wrist pain can vary from trauma-related injuries to nerve compression. Some of the most common causes of wrist pain include:
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
The median nerve runs through the wrist and supplies the first three fingers. When the median nerve is compressed, it is called carpal tunnel syndrome. Carpal tunnel syndrome can cause pain, numbness, or weakness in the hand and wrist.
Tendonitis
The occurrence of inflammation in tendons is called tendonitis. When tendonitis occurs, swelling can be seen with pain.
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
This condition is called nerve compression at the elbow, ulnar nerve entrapment or ulnar neuropathy. The ulnar nerve is pinched or stretched as it passes through the inside of the elbow. As a result of this tension and compression, numbness or tingling occurs in the 4th and 5th fingers.
If the elbow remains folded for a long time or if there is pressure on the elbow for a long time, this can lead to cubital tunnel syndrome.
Joint Inflammation (Arthritis)
Arthritis is a condition that causes inflammation of the joints. This inflammation can lead to pain, swelling, stiffness, and loss of range of motion.
Wrist Injury
Wrist injuries can occur due to a variety of causes, including heavy lifting, falls, and sprains. These injuries can damage the bones, ligaments, and tendons in the wrist.
Ganglion Cyst
Ganglion cyst, which consists of fluid-filled capsules, is a benign type of cyst. Ganglion cysts can grow in the area where they are located, but do not spread to different parts of the body.
The Gut
Gout is a type of arthritis that is caused by a build-up of uric acid in the joints. Uric acid is a waste product that is produced by the body when it breaks down purines, which are found in many foods.
The causes mentioned above are the most common causes of wrist and hand pain, but there are some rare conditions that can also cause pain. Carpal meniscus tears and Kienböck’s disease are two examples.
How To Treat Hand And Wrist Pain?
To be able to apply the necessary treatment methods for wrist and hand pain, it is first necessary to determine the underlying cause. Diagnosis is usually performed by a specialist in the relevant field (physical therapy or orthopedics).
The treatment of wrist pain is usually performed with conservative methods, that is, without surgery. Although the treatment varies depending on the diagnosis, the following treatment methods are frequently used in wrist pain:
- If wrist pain is caused by carpal tunnel syndrome, hot or cold applications, wrist brace use, edema-reducing or pain relievers, local injections, and physical therapy methods may be used.
- In cases where the pain is caused by osteoarthritis, physical therapy applications and wrist exercises can be applied.
- In cases of pain caused by injury, wrist brace use, bandage or cold application, pain relievers, and cream use may be recommended.
- Inflammatory rheumatic diseases such as arthritis or tendinitis, anti-inflammatory or pain relievers are used. Cortisone use may also be recommended by a doctor.
If the disease cannot be treated with the conservative methods mentioned above, surgical intervention is used to eliminate the problem.
